Pirates rally for 2-1 win over Santiago Canyon
| Final | 1 | 2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Santiago Canyon (4-5-1, 0-3-0) | 1 | 0 | 1 |
|
Orange Coast (4-6-0, 2-0-0) | 1 | 1 | 2 |
COSTA MESA -- An early hiccup was erased by the Orange Coast College men's soccer team as the Pirates rallied for a 2-1 Orange Empire Conference win over visiting Santiago Canyon on Tuesday afternoon at the OCC Soccer Complex.
After Santiago Canyon (4-5-1, 0-3-0 in OEC) scored in the fifth minute of play, Coast (4-6-0, 2-0-0) gained the momentum and sent several scoring chances towards the Hawks' side of the field. Finally, in the 24th minute, Gavin Pierce buried a well-placed shot into the upper corner of the net off a pass from Richard Paredes to put Coast even with the Hawks, 1-1.
It stayed that way through the rest of the first half, but just four minutes into the second half, Paredes worked hard down low against the SCC defense and drew a foul inside the goalkeeper's box, which earned the Pirates a penalty kick opportunity.
Sophomore Jared Velazquez stepped up and ripped a rocket into the back of the net to put OCC ahead for good.
Both teams had opportunities to score, but the score remained the same the rest of the way. Coast goalkeeper Collin Macha had eight saves, including a point-blank stop late in the contest to preserve the win.
Coast will return to action on Friday at Santa Ana College, beginning at 3 p.m. before returning to the OCC Soccer Complex on Tuesday against Fullerton, also at 3 p.m.
